The National tribune., 1887-03-24
SONS OF VETERANS AS MILITIA.

as militia prominent feature.
The country needs, as never before, a
numerous and well-trained militia, which
viii be a guarantee Of social order, a reli-
anee TO meet the first hostile demonstrations
Of foreign enemy, and a training school for
officers for any great emergency, when we
may have 10 put millions of men in the field
within short period
1t is nonsense 10 deny the Importance of
this. Because the skies seem serene now Is
no assurance they viii he so tomorrow or
the next day. We imagine ourselves the
most pcace-lOying Of peoples, yet we have
had war in every generation. Never has
p years elapsed between the close Of one
war and the beginning OF another Look at
this records:
The great French-Indian war, which was
just rs much our own war as the Revolution,
began in 1876 and lasted until 1903.
Twelve years later the Revolution began
and lasted until Use.
Right years after The close Of the Reyolu-
ton the Indian wars began, and lasted four
years, ending with the decisive battle of
Fallen Timbers, fought IL miles south Of
where Toledo, O., now stands, Aug 90, 1884
The war Of lsl2 began eight years later,
with the sbimish at Brownstone, Mich,
Ang a. 1872 The last battle was fought at
New Orleans, Jan. c, 1915.
In Isl7, 1915, 1928, 1882, 1885, 1896, 1857,
ISIS, 1899, 1910, 1si1 and 1912 we had In
dian wars on different parts of our frontier.
May s, s1sl6, 81 years after the close of
the war Of 1872 the Mexican war broke out,
and lasted until the last part Of 1917.
April II, 1sGl--1l years after the close of
the Mexican war-the rebellion began, and
lasted until Kirby Smith surrendered, May
%, 1865.
According to this reckoning We must ex-
poet another war within the next eight or
nine years, and it may come any year. II,
as now seems imminent, all the great powers
OF Europe become involved in war during
the coming Summer, we shall be lucky in
deed if we escape ENHANCEMENT in it. We
made every effort TO keep out Of the NapO-
leonic wars-even going so Ear as to compel
all our merchant ships TO stay at home; but
this did not prevent our becoming en-
broiled with both France and England, and
we declared war against both powers.
Weneed a strong array Of well-disciplined
militia now more than ever, because when
we do have war it viii come upon us with
the suddenness of an avalanche War
making powers now understand the neCes-
sity Of striking quick aud hard. Every
thing is TO be gained by giving the adver-
sary as little time for preparation as posi-
bic. Since we have no adequate standing
army 10 meet the first brunt Of an assault
by an enemy, we must have militia
enough to hold an enemy in check while
we can organize resistance. 1t is all very
well TO say that the President can have
100000 young men in camp within a
month But what viii they be worth until
they are armed, equipt, organized into compa-
mics, regiments, brigades, divisions and
corps, with leaders over them? This, with
all the energy HAT we can infuse into
the work, viii take weeks-months, dur
ing which time an energetic enemy like the
Germans could overrun the country. In
1866 il only took the Prussians a few weeks
to crush Austria till she was glad TO sue for
peace.
BY making themselves regular military
organization, trained 10 the use Of arms aud
10 acting under leadership, the Sons of Vet
Grams could be of incalculable value to the
country, and they would at once gain a
standing and respect that would be pleasant
and useful 20 themselves. There would be
beautiful fitness in their presenting them
selves to the country, saying: awe will
keep ourselves drilled and disciplined, and
be as ready as our fathers were to respond
TO our country's call, and defend it from all
danger"
Such an organization would have a dig,
nifty in the eyes Of the people that no other
could have. 1t would be reliance in times
of danger, an admirable training school fol
the officers Of the next great army that W,
have to raise, and a great nursery of patriot
ism and soldiership.
There ought to be within the coming
year, 100000 young men in the Sons of Vet
erans These would make the finest militia
in the world. When uniformed, drilled and
taught TO use brecch-loaders they would
make an enemy that the strongest power in
Europe would hesitate about oncounterinl